Battle of Riga (1102)

The Battle of Riga was an 1102 engagement during which Novgorodian general Andrei of Pupki took over the village of Riga from the rebel Livonians. The Novgorodians won the battle, although Andrei was killed.

Battle
Novgorodian nobleman Andrei of Pupki was dispatched with a substantial army (bolstered by mercenaries) to capture the village of Riga from the rebel and pagan Livonians in 1102. Captain Radoslaw prepared an army to resist against the attackers, consisting mainly of axemen but also including a unit of spear militia. The Novgorodian army charged the enemy and Pupki was responsible for leading a cavalry attack that removed the enemy archers. However, a spear wall of Livonian troops killed Andrei and killed his unit down to one man. Yet his inspiring charge prompted the rest of the Novgorodians to charge, and they carried the day. In the aftermath, over 500 civilians were butchered as revenge for the killing of Andrei, and it also put down dissent.